The temple of Indian Cricket needs a new priest.

The temple of Indian Cricket needs a new priest.

I remember those childhood days, as a little boy, when I would make my brother bowl at me the whole morning, with the promise that he would get a chance to bat; that never came. Then one morning, when he walked up to the stumps with the bat in his hand. No toss, no discussions, he threw the ball at me and said sternly “Today, it is my turn to bat”. Thus, began the revolution. 

Aamir khan in a recent interview admitted that his worst fear is about his films not being accepted by the viewers - that the audience doesn’t see art the same way he visioned it. He would be cheating himself if he thinks his entertaining his fans when in reality it is not the case. The superstar's modest confession is more than an artist's ordinary paranoia – whether the viewer or listener will capture the exact same affect carved in the frame. Khan's biggest concern is that he would be the last one to know of his failure, due to his intimidating nature. His peers agree that they respect him too much to tell him that he might be wrong. Aamir's revelation can teach Sachin a lesson in life.

One cannot picture Sachin hitting the gym, building a physique and some day try his hand at boxing (Flintoff) or Rugby (Symonds). Unlike Wasim Akram or Navjot Sidhu, he doesn't possess the voice and wit of a commentator. He isn't as artistic as Kumble or musically gifted like Lee. Even on the field, he wasn't as crafty as the predator in Ponting; the Aussies are today branded for their chin music, but not many speak about the orchestra that Ricky led from the slip cordon.  He didn't enjoy the privilege to play four innings per test match, like Kallis, who could swing you with the bat and ball. The truth is that Sachin Tendulkar is master of one trade  - striking the cricket ball with the bat. Those 22 yards are his revered space and no one dares to trespass his sacrosanct territory.

Tendulkar’s love for the game is as infatuated as India’s obsession with him. So whether you like it or not, you continue to tolerate his tantrums, only because he was an idol and you grew up watching him entertain. However, behind every hysterical fan who brags about his positive stats, there is a player whose longing for him to leave; simply because he desires to play for the nation. There are many who slog it out day after day, at the domestic level, hoping they will get a call. But, how will they get in if 'the master is not ready to leave his shrine? It is like vandalizing a statue from an ancestral temple that people have revered for years. Anyone who suggests that this God must leave is condemned as blasphemous, unholy and satanic. Timid devotees have been singing in faint verses of praise, secretly hoping the temple gets a new priest.

23 tiring summers have gone by and the celebrated champion has won many a  dual with the world's ferocious bowlers; now, however, he is fighting time. The signs were clear when he recently began growing his hair. This desperate battle is suicidal for someone who has slammed all the records that any man with a willow possibly could. Deep inside his heart he knows he has got to go and recently admitted that it is going to be an emotional moment for him to quit. He taking an oath as a Parliamentarian and securing his post-retirement life was another obvious sign which went un-noticed. What is it then that's thwarting his move to ride into the sunset?

Some argue he is playing for records, others say his talent lies only on the pitch and some opine that its the media that dragging him on. It is important that the media and the public remain open and encouraging to his real sentiments. The same personalities who claimed Sachin should have quit – after the 2011 world cup victory lap- are now saying, that the man knows when to leave. These experts should stop their hypocritical statements about 'India needing Sachin', when the truth confirms the opposite. What do you mean by 'we can't tell Sachin when to go?' Of course we can! We are the ones who watch the game, what would the game be without its viewers? Stop politicizing sports! Let there be transparency and equality, its only then that we will grow as a sporting nation. Look at Australia, they actually have an entire pack of reserve, yet experienced pace bowlers, to replace the injured. Experience comes from trial and error; not by warming the benches.

The Indian Cricket team has evolved to bank on every player to deliver results: the formula that won us the world cup. India will survive without Sachin, someone else will come around and fill the void. Pujara working his way into Dravid's shoes is an encouraging illustration of what opportunity does to a talent. Ricky Ponting is a recent testimony to the team player act of 'giving way' to youngsters. With a lifetime of achievements, he could have easily bulldozed his way to go past Steve Waugh's record for most number of tests for Australia, but he chose to share the legendary honour with  his predecessor. 

The time is ripe for Sachin to demonstrate this noble gesture. A hundred and ninety six tests it will be after the English series, four short of 200. This is a fabulous opportunity for him to prove to non-believers like me, that he played for the team and not for the records. 

Controversially yours!